The Nigerian media have been promised of adequate protection of their rights in the course of performing their constitutional responsibility of information dissemination.
A human rights activists and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mr. Mike Ozekhome gave the assurance while interacting with the Judiciary correspondents on Wednesday during his chamber end of year get to gather in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital.
He commended the Nigerian media for promoting development, peace, Democratic tenets, human rights and highlighting corruption as well as pertinent issues in the country.
Ozekhome said, ” thank you media for all you have done to promote Nigeria, to promote democracy, to deepened democracy, to highlights breaches of human rights of the people, to highlights subjugation and repression of the rule of law of the people by government. All you have done to highlights corruption.
While promising Nigerian Media of protection and free legal services , Ozekhome encouraged the media not to be intimidated by any antics but remain focus and professional.
He said, “where they come after you, you have the Chambers to run to, we will defend you free of charge.
If we do not defend the media, then Democracy will be endangered” adding that without the media, there can’t be democracy.
Ozekhome noted that, “as human rights activists and pro-democracy campaigner, I will be there.”
He said that, his chambers won a total of twenty seven (27) cases in the year 2022 from various court across the country.He attributed the successes to the will of the Almighty God and commitments of staff of the law firm.
“I do not know any Chamber that has achieved that feat. But, thanks to God that we won these cases.” Ozekhome said.
“We thank God for wining these cases, not for our hard work or power but by the Grace of God who had showed us mercy, according to Romans 2vs 19.
Ozekhome thanked the media for promoting democracy and all it has done in highlighting corruption. “The media in Nigeria should be very proud of itself because despite attempts to muzzle you, you continue to demonstrate that government come and go but the media is always on ground.
“Continue doing your work, don’t be intimidated and when they come after you, you have the chambers to run to. I will defend you probono.
“We cannot afford to see that a country we so much fought for should be allowed to be messed up by stranger elements, many of whom who ran abroad for the bones and marrows of Nigeria.